Scaffolding made of prefabricated elements and methods of constructing the same



April 14, 1970 B. BE T 3,506,090

' SCAFFOLDING MADE OF PREFABRI ED ELEMENTS ANDMETHODS 0F CONSTRUCTING THE SAME v Filed Dec. 21, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 if/ A 7 Z guws/ w wZw/ H, m

April 14, 1970 7 VB. BEZI'AT' v SCAFFOLDING MADE OF PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING THE SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1967 :3. BEZIAT Apr-i114, 1970 SCAFFOLDING MADE OF PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING THE SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed D80. .21, 1967 s 7 7 0 v v 7 4 April 14, 1976 BEZIAT SCAFFOLDING MADE OF PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS AND METHODS OFv CONSTRUCTING THE SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 21, 1967 'iludd 6 Us April 14, 1970 i a. BE ZIAT 3,

' SCAFFOLDING MADE OF PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING THE SAME Filed Dec. 21, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,506,090 SCAFFOLDING MADE OF PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCT- ING THE SAME Bernard Beziat, Carrieres-sur-Seine, France, assignor to Societe Nouvelle des Echafaudages Tubulaires Mills, Paris, France Filed Dec. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 692,580 Claims priority, application France, Dec. 21, 1966,

Int. Cl. E04g 7/00 U.S. Cl. 1s2 17s ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 12 Claims This invention relates to scaffolding made of prefabricated elements and to methods of constructing the same, and is more particularly though not exclusively applicable to scaffolding of this type designed to support a load temporarily, as in the case of shoring scaffolding used to support a concrete structure while it sets.

It has already been proposed to use scaffolding consisting of a plurality of prefabricated assemblies (preferably frames) joined together to form, vertically, trusses consisting respectively of a superimposition of such prefabricated assemblies, and, horizontally, a plurality of levels composed in each case of those prefabricated assemblies of said trusses which lie at the same level.

Heretofore all the prefabricated assemblies of a given level have been interconnected by usually prefabricated tie-members running obliquely, horizontally or cruciformfashion.

This resulted in scaffolding in which the spacing between the trusses could be altered only by using tiemembers of different lengths.

But since the truss spacing must be governed by the conditions under which the scaffolding is expected to perform duty, it was necessary to provide for the use, in the construction of same, of:

Either a large number of tie-members of different or adjustable lengths, which made the erection of the scaffolding a long and delicate process and required the use of skilled labour,

Or a single type of tie-member the length of which determined a truss-spacing corresponding to the most arduous duty conditions, which in turn resulted in inefficient use of the equipment due to a number of prefabricated assemblies and tie-members being unnecessarily left idle.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to render the use of scaffolding made up of prefabricated assemblies far more flexible than heretofore by providing scaffolding made up of prefabricated assemblies and characterized by the fact that:

Only a certain number of the prefabricated assemblies at a given level are interconnected by oblique tie-members of equal length (hereinafter referred to as diagonals), the trusses joined thus (hereinafter called principal trusses) being equally spaced from one another, and the trusses formed by the other prefabricated as- 3,506,090 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 ICC semblies (i.e. those not interconnected by diagonals) being hereinafter termed intermediate trusses,

All the prefabricated assemblies of a given level are interconnected by horizontal tie-members called stringers,

And the stringers each include a plurality of assembling devices at intervals along their length, adapted to cooperate with the tops and/ or bottoms of two consecutive prefabricated assemblies in any given principal or intermediate truss.

In one specific embodiment of the invention, each assembling device comprises three distinct interconnecting elements, to wit, two axial interconnecting elements adapted to cooperate by forming socket-joints respectively with the top and bottom of two consecutive prefabricated assemblies in the same truss, and a lateral interconnecting element adapted to secure the assembling d vice to the stringer, and this lateral interconnecting element and the stringer with which it is designed to c0op erate are devised so that it be possible to secure the assembling device to said stringer at any one of a plurality of points provided at intervals along the same, or at any convenient point thereon.

It is thus possible to provide, within the span across two successive principal trusses (the interval between which is determined by the length of the diagonals), intermediate trusses the number of which may be chosen according to the duty to be performed and, above all, the load to be supported by the scaffolding in that particular span.

The spacing between principal and intermediate trusses is thus entirely adaptable to make up such trusses with a plurality of prefabricated assemblies which are not just superimposed vertically to form individual parallel king-posts, but instead superimposed with a horizontal stagger from one level to the next, this horizontal stagger being equal to the horizontal dimension of the prefabricated assemblies.

The arrangement hereinbefore disclosed gives rigidity to the several principal and intermediate trusses in their own planes, and this rigidity imparts very great loadwithstanding ability and very good stability to the scaffolding constructed thus.

Scaffolding according to this invention can accordingly be erected with only three types of elements, namely the prefabricated assemblies, the diagonals of equal length and the stringers complete with their assembling devices. The scaflolding can therefore be erected speedily and without difficulty by unskilled labour.

Scaffolding according to the invention moreover permits a rational use of materials without leaving prefabricated assemblies, diagonals or stringers needlessly idle.

Scaffolding according to this invention possesses other features which are preferably made use of concurrently with the principal feature hereinbefore set forth and which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

The description which follows With reference to the accompanying non-limitative exemplary drawings will give a clear understanding of how the invention can be carried into practice.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic exploded view of scaflolding built up from prefabricated frames in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic side elevation view of scaffolding according to the invention suporting a load con sisting of a concrete structure in the process of setting.

FIGURE 3 shows in elevation with fragmental portions and on an enlarged scale a first constructional form of a three-part assembling device used for erecting scaffolding according to the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 3 of an alternative constructional form.

FIGURE 5 is a similar fragmentay view in elevation, on an enlarged scale, of yet another embodiment of the three-part assembling device.

FIGURE 6 shows in corresponding fashion to FIG- URE- 3 still another embodiment of a three-part assembling device used for erecting scaffolding according to the invention.

FIGURE 7 shows in perspective a pre-assembly table for securing the three-part assembling devices to a stringer of scaffolding according to the invention.

FIGURE 8 is a schematic perspective view of scaffolding according to the present invention.

In what follows it will be assumed for exemplary purposes that it is proposed to erect scaffolding for temporarily supporting a load which, as shown in FIGURE 1, could be a concrete structure in the process of setting.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the scaffolding comprises a plurality of prefabricated assemblies consisting preferably of frames 1 which are joined to form, vertically, trusses consisting respectively of superimposed frames 1 and generally designated by the reference numeral 50 and a suffix a or b (as will be specified in connection with the principal feature of this invention), and, horizontally, levels 60 consisting respectively of those prefabricated frames 1 of said trusses 50 which lie on the same level. In accordance with the principal feature of this invention, certain only of the frames 1 of any given level 60 are interconnected by diagonals 8 of equal length, the principal trusses 50a interconnected thus being disposed at equal intervals from one another; secondly, all the frames 1 on any given level 60 are interconnected by stringers 2; and, thirdly, the stringers 2 each comprise a'plurality of assembling devices 3 at intervals along their lengths, each device being capable of cooperating with the top and/or bottom respectively of two consecutive prefabricated frames 1 belonging to the same principal truss 50a or intermediate truss 50b.

Accordingly, as shown in the specific embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 7, each assembling device 3 includes three distinct interconnecting elements, to wit:

Two axial interconnecting elements 3a adapted to form socket joints with the top and bottom respectively of two successive frames 1 of the same principal truss 50a or intermediate truss 50b, and

A lateral interconnecting element 3]) adapted to secure assembling device 3 to the stringer 2, which lateral interconnecting element 3b and the stringer 2 with which it cooperates are devised so that the device 3 may be secured to stringer 2 at any one of a plurality of points provided at intervals thereon, but preferably (as will hereinafter be assumed) at any point thereon.

It is possible in this way to provide, across any span between two successive principal trusses 50a (the spacing between which is governed by the length of diagonals 8), intermediate trusses 50b the number of which can be chosen to suit the duty to be performed by the scaffolding within the span in question.

In particular, the scaffolding may be erected according to the load to be supported, as shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it has been assumed thereon that the concrete structure which is in the process of setting and forms the load to be supported involves bigger loads at its lateral extremities then in its middle.

Accordingly, two intermediate trusses 50b are provided between two successive principal trusses 50a, whereas in the middle region only one intermediate truss 50b is provided between two successive principal trusses 50a.

Reference is next had to FIGURES 3 to 6 for different possible embodiments of a yoke-type lateral interconnecting element 3b, i.e. one adapted to cooperate by tightly enclosing the relevant stringer 2.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGURE the two axial interconnecting elements 3a consist of a double-ended spigot 30a the two coaxial ends of which are capable of forming socket-joints with the superimposed uprights of the frames 1 to be joined together, and said coaxial ends embody holes 4a into which are engageable locking pegs or bolts which also extend through holes 412 aligned with the holes 4a and embodied in the ends of said uprights,

the lateral interconnecting element 3b consists of a yoke 30b capable of clamping the stringer 2 by cooperating with a tightening bolt 5,

and double-ended spigot 30a is joined to yoke 3012 by means of a sleeve 6 shrunk on to the middle of spigot 30a and a keeper 7 welded to sleeve 6 and imprisoning yoke 30b.

In the alternative constructional form shown in FIGURE 4, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, the double-ended spigot 30a is made separately from the sleeve 6 and, where necessary, is rigidly united therewith by means of a locking peg or bolt extending through holes 40 embodied in the middles of double-ended spigot 30a and sleeve 6.

It should be noted that, provided that no locking pegs are inserted into holes 40, the latter form of embodiment imparts a degree of rotational freedom to sleeve 6 and clamping yoke 30b relatively to frame 1.

In the constructional form shown in FIGURE 5, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, the two axial interconnecting elements 3a are provided in the form of a female element such as a double-ended socket-piece 31a the two ends of which are slipped over the superimposed uprights of the frames 1 to be interconnected, said double-ended socket-piece 31a being preferably provided with a midway transverse plate 310 designed to act as an internal abutment for the adjacent ends of the interconnected uprights, in which case holes 4a are embodied in double-ended socket-piece 31a for insertion of a locking peg or bolt extending through holes 4b formed in the ends of the superimposed uprights of frames 1 and adapted to register with the holes 4a.

It is to be noted that it would be possible alternatively to combine the embodiments of FIGURES 3 and 5 and to devise combinatiomtype axial interconnecting elements 3a, i.e., having a socket at one end and a spigot at the other.

It should be noted that a variant may be adopted on each of the constructional forms hereinabove described, in which the axial and lateral interconnecting elements 3a and 3b respectively, instead of being made fast by a keeper 7, are interconnected by means of a pin authorizing relative swivelling motion between these interconnecting elements, thereby enabling stringer 2 to be positioned obliquely.

Considering next the diagonals 8 running 'between the frames 1 of principal trusses 50a, each one thereof has each of its ends connected to a frame 1 preferably by means of a complementary assembling device of the kind shown in FIGURE 6, wherein it will be assumed for exemplary purposes that the assembling device 3 shown thereon is similar to the one shown in FIGURE 3, with like parts being designated by like reference numerals.

In this constructional form, the complementary assembling device for joining the end of a diagonal 8 to one of the ends of a frame upright is provided,

First, with a yoke 9 associated to a bolt 10, which jointly clamp the end of diagonal 8, and,

Secondly, with a peg 11 extending loosely through the base of yoke 9 and through holes formed in the upright of frame 1, and this peg 11 is preferably fitted with a removable locking pin 12 or the like for preventing it from withdrawing once it has been inserted.

It will be appreciated that, due to the play between peg 11 and yoke 9, the latter may be swivelled as required, once the peg 11 has been inserted and retained by pin 12.

It should be noted that the peg 11 may with advantage be caused to perform the added function of a locking peg for the double-ended spigot 30a inserted into the upright of the relevant frame 1, in which case said peg 11 would extend through the holes 4a and 4b referred to precedingly with reference to the embodiment of FIG- URE 3.

In one specific embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in FIGURE 8, in which like parts to those in FIGURE 1 are designated by like reference numerals, advantage is taken of the fact that because the spacing between principal trusses 50a and intermediate trusses 50b can be adapted to suit the load on the scaffolding, such principal and intermediate trusses 50a and 50b can be associated to a plurality of superimposed prefabricated frames 1 that are staggered vertically, i.e'. offset horizontally from one level 60 to the next by an amount equal to the horizontal dimension of a prefabricated frame 1.

Although it has been assumed that the prefabricated frames 1 are staggered identically for each truss, it will be manifest that the stagger in the prefabricated frames 1 could be caused to alternate in sense from one. truss to the next.

Such an arrangement imparts to the principal and intermediate trusses 50a and 50b a degree of rigidity in their respective planes that endows the resulting scaffolding with very great load-bearing ability and excellent stability. Irrespective of which one of the constructional forms hereinbefore disclosed is adopted, a scaffolding according to the present invention can be erected with only three types of elements, to wit, the frames 1, the diagonals 8 and the stringers 2 equipped with their assembling devices 3 comprised of three interconnecting elements each.

By virtue of the design of these assembling devlces 3, the same can be secured to the stringers 2 on the ground, and possibly even in an assembly shop remote from the site on which the scaffolding is to be erected, such securing operation consequently being carried out under optimum conditions and precluding any possible error on the part of the workmen subsequently in charge of erecting the scaffolding, since the only task left to these workmen will be. to mate the frames 1 with the assembling devices 3 and to insert the locking pegs or bolts.

It should be noted in this connection that, in accordance with a method included in the scope of the present invention, the preliminary operation of securing the assembling devices 3 to the stringers 2 can be facilitated by the use of pre-assembly benches to be described in greater detail hereinbelow. This solution offers the advantage of requiring specialist technicians only for readying the preassembly bench, the subsequent pre-assernbly operation itself being carried out by unskilled labour without detrimental effect to either the accuracy or the rapiditywith which the. assembling devices 3 are secured to the stringers 2.

Reference is lastly had to FIGURE 7 for an illustration of a pre-assembly bench consisting of a beam 13 supported on legs 14 and formed with two lines of holes 15 therein, the spacings between these holes being such that, regardless of the type of scaffolding required, it shall invariably be possible to select two holes 15 having the spacing required for two successive trusses 50, be they principal trusses 50a or intermediate trusses 50b.

The subject method of this invention consists in inserting into the holes 15 corresponding to the locations for the assembling devices 3 locating spigots or sockets 16 with which is mated one of the two axial interconnecting elements 3a of the assembling device- 3.

The assembling devices 3 having thus been located at suitable intervals, it will then suffice to offer up to the devices 3 a stringer 2 and to cause the same to be engaged and made fast with the associated lateral interconnecting elements 3b of assembling devices 3. The stringer 2 can then be disengaged by an upward movement and will be equipped ready with the assembling devices 3 at the required locations thereon and can consequently be used for erecting the scaffolding.

The advantages of scaffolding according to the present invention, from the point of view both of structural design and method of erection, may be. summarized as follows:

Speedier erection,

Accuracy of assembly of the component parts of the scaffolding,

The possibility of using unskilled labour for assembly,

Great variety in the architecture of the scaffolding,

Safety and stability regardless of the dimensions of the scaffolding and the load supported.

What I claim is:

1. A scaffolding comprising in combination a plurality of prefabricated assemblies each of which is superimposed and joined to respective adjacent members of another plurality of prefabricated assemblies to form vertically a plurality of trusses and horizontally levels of said prefabricated assemblies said plurality of trusses being composed of principal trusses spaced apart at equal intervals from one another and trusses immediate said principal trusses, tie members of equal length obliquely interconnecting said principal trusses, a plurality of stringers for interconnecting the plurality of prefabricated assemblies in any given level, each of said stringers being provided with a plurality of assembling devices each positioned at intervals along the length thereof and adapted to cooperate with adjacent prefabricated assemblies, each as sembling device comprising two axial interconnecting elements adapted to cooperate by forming socket-joints with the top and bottom respectively of two adjacent superimposed prefabricated assemblies in any given principal truss or intermediate truss, and a lateral interconnecting element adapted to secure said assembling device to a stringer, said lateral interconn cting element and the stringer with which it is to cooperate being so devised that the assembling device may be secured to the stringer at any point along the stringer.

2. Scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein said lateral interconnecting element is a yoke adapted to clamp on to the stringer.

3. Scaffolding according to claim 2, wherein the two axial interconnecting elements comprise a double-ended spigot having its coaxial ends adapted to engate into superimposed uprights of the prefabricated assemblies to be interconnected, said coaxial ends being formed with holes into which are engageable locking pegs or bolts which also extend through holes formed in the ends of said uprights and adapted to register with said first-mentioned holes in said coaxial ends, the lateral interconnecting element comprises a yoke adapted to clamp on to the stringer by cooperating with a tightening bolt, and the double-ended spigot is united with the yoke by means of a sleeve shrunk on to the middle of said double-ended spigot and a keeper welded to said sleeve and imprisoning said yoke.

4. Scaffolding according to claim 2, wherein the two axial interconnecting elements comprises a double-ended spigot the two coaxial ends of which are adapted to engage into superimposed uprights of the prefabricated assemblies to be joined together, said coaxial ends being formed with holes into which are engageable locking pegs or bolts and which extend through holes formed in the ends of said uprights and adapted to register with said first-mentioned holes in said coaxial ends, the lateral interconnecting element comprises a yoke adapted to be clamped on the stringer by means of a tightening bolt, and the doubleended spigot is made fast with a sleeve by means of a locking peg which extends through holes formed in the middle of the double-ended spigot and the sleeve, said sleeve being welded to a keeper which imprisons said yoke.

5. Scaffolding according to claim 2, wherein the two axial interconnecting elements comprises a double-ended socket-piece the two ends of which engage over the superimposed uprights of the prefabricated assemblies to be interconnected, said double-ended socket-piece including a midway transverse plate which forms an internal abutment for the adjacent ends of said superimposed uprights, the lateral interconnecting element comprises a yoke adapted to clamp on to the stringer by means of a tightening bolt, and the double-ended socket-piece is united with the yoke by means of a keeper welded to said socket-piece and imprisoning said yoke.

6. Scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the principal and intermediate trusses comprise a plurality of prefabricated frames superimposed vertically in staggered formation to provide a horizontal offset at each lever, said horizontal offset being equal to the horizontal dimension of the prefabricated frames.

7. Scaffolding according to claim 6, wherein the prefabricated frames are staggered identically for each truss.

Scaffolding according to claim 6, wherein the stagger in the prefabricated frames alternates from one truss to the next.

9. Scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the axial and lateral interconnecting elements are interconnected by a pivot member permitting relative pivotal motion between said axial and lateral interconnecting elements so as to enable a degree of inclination to be imparted to the stringer.

10. A method of pre-assernbling the stringers for the scaffolding according to claim 1, which comprises the steps of pre-assembling the stringers on a pre-assembly bench consisting of a beam supported on legs and formed with two lines of holes spaced in such manner that provides, irrespective of the type of scaffolding required, two holes the distance between which is equal to the spacing required between successive pairs of principal or intermediate trusses, inserting locating members into said holes having the required spacing therebetween and engaging over said members one of the two axial interconnecting elements of the assembling device, offering up a stringer to said assembling device, engaging the lateral interconnecting elements of the assembling device over said stringer and tightening them thereonto, and disengaging said stringer.

11. Scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the ends of diagonal tie members are attached to the prefabricated assembly by means of a cemplementary assembling device comprising, a yoke adapted to be clamped round the diagonal tie member by means of a tightening bolt, and a peg extending loosely through the middle of the yoke and through holes formed in the frame upright of said 15 prefabricated assembly, said peg having associated thereto removable locking means for preventing accidental withdrawal thereof after insertion.

12. Scaffolding according to claim 11, wherein said peg extends through the holes in said coaxial ends and holes in the ends of said uprights.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 25 1,448,503 3/1923 Palmer-Jones 182-178 1,871,041 8/1932 Cavanagh 182--l78 2,168,837 8/1939 York 182l78 2,506,640 5/1950 Hawes 182l78 2,900,870 8/1959 Jackson l82l78 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

